Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

These things I have spoken to you, thatin Me you may have peace.In the world youwill have tribulation; but be of good cheer,I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NKJV

How do you prepare someone for the unthinkable? For several chapters, Jesus had been doing just that, exhorting His eleven disciples to handle what was about to transpire. Judas had already left to sell out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Jesus knew His arrest, trial, and crucifixion would shatter and scatter the remaining disciples. As He summarized His discourse, Jesus gave the disciples and every Christian three promises in the above verse.

First, Jesus promises peace. His second promise assures us that as long as we live in this world, we will encounter tribulations, but there is one more promise. We can be encouraged because Jesus has overcome the world.

In the midst of every storm, we seek peace. Let the winds settle down. Forbid the waves to churn. Let our ships stop rocking. Wouldn’t it be cruel to be out in the Atlantic in the path of a hurricane? Becoming seasick would only worsen an already horrific situation. That’s a double whammy, and sometimes life throws them at us. Removing that nausea won’t make the howling storm go away, but you can handle it much better if you weren’t ill.

Enter divine peace. The peace of Jesus won’t make that cancer go away. Peace won’t remove the bills you cannot pay. Peace won’t heal that rocky relationship, nor mend your brokenness, but it keeps you steady in the storm.

The peace of Jesus will stabilize us. It will calm our anxieties. It will soothe our hearts and minds.

Even though we are guaranteed tribulations, we are promised peace. A peace the world cannot offer (Phil. 4:6-7).

Then, Jesus tells us to take heart. Trouble is coming, but don’t allow it to bring you down. Don’t allow the enemy to whisper doubt and fear in your ear. Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus was victorious over the cross, over the grave, and over Satan and his demonic forces. This is our victory cry.

Our oppression is really our opportunity to see God work.

Each storm we pass through is another reason to pray and observe the miracles of God. What will You do this time, Lord? Watching God work is amazing, but we cannot perceive His wonders until something is broken. That’s when we have a front row seat to watch the power of God move.

I don’t like the promise of squalls any more than you do, but since they are unavoidable, I prefer sailing through with peace. The unknown elements of any tempest can toss us about, but the perfect peace of Jesus keeps us tranquil.

Since I cannot prevent the howling winds, I can lift up my chin and be of good cheer. I get to watch the Master at work. What masterpiece will You unveil for us this time?

Lord, we praise You for giving us Your peace to handle the storms. Our thankful hearts glorify You because You have overcome the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read John 16.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Looking at past storms, how has God blessed you through them? Remember that, especially through your next season of pain.

That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (NKJV)

Why did Jesus Christ come into this world, suffer and die, rise on the third day, and give us eternal life? The answer: “For God so loved”. John used the word “so” because there is no word that rightly describes the depth of God’s love. It is an unconditional love we cannot fathom.

He loved us when we were unlovable. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8). We did nothing to deserve His love. We could never do enough good works to earn it.

How can Christians receive such a gift from God and not show love to an unsaved world? In Mark 10:21, Jesus loved the self-righteous, rich, young ruler who was unsaved. Surely, if Jesus loved a man who was not saved, shouldn’t we do likewise? In Matt. 5:43-45, Jesus tells us to love our neighbors and our enemies. This love is not an emotion. It is a choice to sacrifice time and show kindness towards them. If we love our neighbor as we love ourselves, then we take care of them as we would take care of ourselves.

The parable of “The Good Samaritan”) Luke 10:25-37) explains that a neighbor can be anyone that we come in contact with. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. We may not even like the person, but if we don’t show God’s love to them, they may never see it. We should learn from that parable to love ALL people: the dirty homeless person, the unwed mother, the person blinded by a false religion, and homosexuals. They are all sinners in need of God’s grace, as we once were. Share the love that God has bestowed upon you with someone today.

Dear Lord,

Help us to love that particular person that we find so hard to love. Forgive us for prejudice and help us show them Your love. Prepare them for the gospel message that they may be saved. In Jesus ‘name, amen.

Is there a particular person that you need to show the love of God to? It may be an enemy or a person that simply annoys you. Make a point to show them an act of kindness and begin praying for them this week.